New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-11

Little Josef IIofmann is the musical sensa-
Zion of the day. The extent of his abilities as
O musical prodigy is question much dis
cussed but not likely soon to be settled to the
satisfaction of all concerned. contribution
of considerable importance to the current dis
eussion is presented on our thirteenth page,
where a comparison is made between two
musical prodigies separated by an interval of
nearly century and quarter Holman Is
doubtless not another Mozart, but his treat
meat of the boy MOzart's theme affords an ill.,
teresting study, especially in respect of his
harmonic sense
The French crisis is not over. The election
of President Cannot seemed happy solution
of the difficulties that the republic confronted
a few days ago but to form Cabinet and so
carry on the Government is ano less easy task.
NJ. Goblet has tried it and failed. and NJ.
Fallieres does not appear likely to have greater
success The republican factions united in
the choice of President That effort was
enough to exhaust their capacity for working
tremendously. Unless they can be brought to
pull together, our cable dispatches intimate
that there may be another crisis soon. That
might test the strength of the republican prn-
Clplc Ill r IduCc W ui ucSicC'
According to the survivors of the W. A.
SchOlten, the crew of that Inflated steamship
did not conduct themselves well In the cOniu-
sion incident to the collision. There seems to
have been painful lack of discipline. On the
English steamships the crews are probably
drilled much more thoroughly rs to their places
and their duties i'll cases OF emergency. Some
of the SchOlten's men are declared to have gone
30 far as even to strip the life-belts from
women and that too, although the number Of
life-b belts was sufficient for each person on
board to have two. This is shocking and not
to be believed except on the best of evidence.
The attempted assassination Of NJ Ferry will
cause great excitement in France, particularly
in Paris. The assassin evidently had not suf-
ficient nerve and GOODNESS to fire with effect
At any rate he only succeeded IN infilctlng
wounds not at all likely to prove serious. The
attack upon the ex-Prime Minister was doubt
less a sequel Of the agitation caused by the
Presidential election a week ago. NJ. Ferry is
one of the ablest leaders that the Republicans
In France have had. but the failure of his Ton
quin scheme cost him his popularity, and the
fact that some of his associates were not men
of incorruptible character still further discred-
tied HIM. His election as President, had 1t
been brought about, would have meant revO-
luton. Public opinion IL against NJ Ferry, but
assassination will not for that reason be APP
proved. Possibly this attack may cause a re-
action in his favor.
An interesting lead was struck yesterday by
the Telephone Investigating Committee but
it was not followed far. The question of free
telephones was raised, and it was disclosed that
there are eleven such furnished by the Metro.
politan Company, "mainly as q matter of
courtesy" to public officials. The list was not
read. and the only official mentioned as enjoy
ang this courtesy" was one of the Brooklyn
Subway Commissioners The inquiry might
well have proceeded little further, One as
tonishing statement was made by the COM
pany's vice president and general manager
namely. that no subscriber had ever complained
hhst his telephone cost too much The only
complaints he ever heard came from the news.